I was thirteen. I was asked to borrow $108.00 that I’d been saving in a small yellow pouch. I hid the yellow pouch in my closet, yet it’s existence was known. It was my stash. I didn’t have much, I saved what I could. In a few weeks it would be Christmas.

“What do you need it for?”

“I want to buy her a gold necklace with a gem at the bottom. I have enough for the necklace, but not enough for the gem. If you let me borrow the money I’ll be able to get both.”

I let him borrow the money.

Christmas morning came. I watched as presents were opened. I watched her open all of hers. I didn’t see a gold necklace. I didn’t see a gem.

I sat in my corner observing life at its finest. I felt the anger rise. I’ve always felt the anger. Soon I’d be strong enough.

If it was nothing, it wouldn’t be there. It’s more than nothing which makes it something and because it’s something we’ll have to wait and see. If I were something rather than a nothing I’d be happy because a nothing is a nothing and not near as good as a something. -M. Taggart

I recently read this remarkable story. Faulkner’s use of basic verbiage mixed with philosophical inner thoughts from character to character was amazing. I noticed Faulkner was using words of his creation, which I’m a fan of doing myself. It’s a trick of sorts. It’s as if the word(s) exists and has every right to live within the story. Because it does.

But none of the above is the reason for this post. I’m writing this post to make aware (anyone who’s interested) in something I read within the editors notes.

Editors Notes:

He wrote As I Lay Dying at the University of Mississippi power plant, where he was employed as a fireman and night watchman, mostly in the early morning, after everybody had gone to bed and power needs had diminished.

For me this is massively relevant. Without boring any of you with my personal details, I think it’s safe to say that many of you are currently working in a field that has nothing to do with your writing goals. I had assumed Faulkner was a writer and had been nothing other than a writer.

I often say, ‘Read on, it’s good for the brain.’ But in this case it’s ‘Write on, it’s good for the brain.’